Pastor’s October Message   “Letting Go”

Ephesians 4:25-32, NRSVUE  "So then, putting away falsehood, let each of you speak the truth with your neighbor, for we are members of one another. Be angry but do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, and do not make room for the devil. Those who steal must give up stealing; rather, let them labor, doing good work with their own hands, so as to have something to share with the needy. Let no evil talk come out of your mouths but only what is good for building up, as there is need, so that your words may give grace to those who hear. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with which you were marked with a seal for the day of redemption. Put away from you all bitterness and wrath and anger and wrangling and slander, together with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ has forgiven you."

     Every fall many leaves give up their chlorophyll in order to prepare for their period of winter dormancy. As the green fades out of the leaves the background colors are revealed: red, purple, orange, gold, and brown. Their true colors come out by letting go of something. Paul tells us that Christians’ true colors come out when we let go of bad habits and evil. These things were part of our former life. However, when we live into the grace given as a gift by Christ, our old ways fade away. Paul says that when we let go of our old ways the Holy Spirit equips us for Christian ministry and our new way of life. Our new life is one of love in which we share Christ’s grace. Where is God calling you to live out that love as part of the body of Christ? How will you lift up others and share the “good news” of Jesus Christ?

 

Many Blessings,    Pastor Shayne